Mobile terminal and terminal operation program

ABSTRACT

An object of the present invention is to quickly and surely acquire icon information without passing through a plurality of hierarchies. 
     A mobile terminal  110  according to the present invention includes a display unit  214,  a touch detection unit  218  that receives a user input onto a surface of the display unit, an operation unit  216  including a plurality of movable operation keys, and a guidance display unit that enters a guidance display mode upon detection of a depression of a predetermined movable operation key of the operation unit  216,  and in the guidance display mode, upon detection of a user input onto an icon displayed on the display unit by the touch detection unit  218 , displays on the display unit a predetermined guidance screen related to the icon.

CROSS REFERENCES TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present application is a continuation of U.S. patent applicationSer. No. 14/251,482, filed Apr. 11, 2014, which is a continuation ofU.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/001,315, filed Dec. 23, 2010, whichis also a National Stage Entry of PCT/JP2009/061782, filed on Jun. 26,2009, claims priority from Japanese Patent Application No. 2008-167322,filed Jun. 26, 2008, the entire contents of which all are incorporatedherein by references.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to a mobile terminal and a terminaloperation program capable of easily acquire information of a pluralityof icons displayed on a display unit.

BACKGROUND ART

In recent years, mobile terminals such as portable telephones and PHS(Personal Handy phone System) terminals are widely spread, so that it ispossible to make a call or to obtain information regardless of locationor time. In particular, an amount of information that can be obtained isrecently increased and a wireless communication method of high speed andhigh quality is adopted so as to download a large amount of data. As theinformation that can be handled and the amount and number ofapplications are increased, a help function for searching contents,functions and operating methods thereof is required. However, the mobileterminal has the limited number of input keys and the limited displayarea so as to keep the portability thereof and the operability of thehelp function itself is poor, so that it is not possible to providesufficient search efficiency.

In order to improve the search efficiency by keywords, a technique hasbeen disclosed in which after a key input operation is performed, afunction explanation database is searched based on history of the keyinput operation and proper help information can be searched on the basisof keywords, which have been already input, without re-input of keywords(for example, Patent Document 1). In addition, a technique has beenknown in which when any information is searched using a help function,not only an input of a key or request sentence for search but alsooperation history is also considered to search help information that auser desires (for example, Patent Document 2).

In the meantime, the information of the contents, functions andoperation methods can be typically referred to via a plurality ofhierarchies (via selection items) from menu items. However, a user hasto always pass through a plurality of hierarchies so as to refer to theinformation, so that the user is forced to have a troublesome operationand specialized knowledge. Accordingly, a technique has been alsodisclosed in which an operation screen, in which a plurality of menuitems is arranged in order of using frequency while ignoring a hierarchyrelation of items, is displayed so that the information, which has beenonce used, can be easily referred to from next time (for example, PatentDocument 3). According to the technique, it is possible to easily selecta desired function setting without repeating a complicated menuselecting operation.

PRIOR ART DOCUMENTS Patent Documents

Patent Document 1: Japanese Patent Publication No. H11-231998

Patent Document 2: Japanese Patent Publication No. 2000-137726

Patent Document 3: Japanese Patent Publication No. 2006-287556

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Problems to be Solved by the Invention

According to the mobile terminals as described above, in order todisplay a plurality of operation objects on a small display area, icons,which directly indicate the operation functions, are used. The iconsinclude an icon that is arranged on a wait screen in addition to an iconfor startup of a specific application. For example, the icons indicate apredetermined state such as icons indicating a remaining amount of abattery and a pictogram (received signal strength), an icon indicatingreception of an e-mail, and the like.

With regard to the icon for startup of an application, the informationthereof is shown in a relatively upper hierarchy. However, theabove-described icon indicating a predetermined state can be barelyreached via hierarchies such as three or four layers. In addition, itcannot be even guessed in many cases where the information of the iconindicating the predetermined state is originally stored. That is,according to the current mobile terminals, it is often difficult toreach the icons because the reference hierarchies by the icons aredifferent or the selection items are varied.

Here, it can be considered to apply the conventional technique ofincreasing easiness of the selection, taking the using frequency intoconsideration. However, since those techniques assume that at least onesearch should be performed, it is not possible to realize the effect forthe icons having the few times of reference, such as icon indicating apredetermined state.

In view of the above problems, an object of the present invention is toprovide a mobile terminal and a terminal operation program capable ofquickly and surely acquiring icon information by a simple operationwithout passing through a plurality of hierarchies.

Means for Solving the Problems

In order to solve the above problems, a representative configuration ofa mobile terminal according to the present invention includes a displayunit; a touch detection unit that receives a user input onto a surfaceof the display unit; an operation unit including a plurality of movableoperation keys; and a guidance display unit that enters a guidancedisplay mode upon detection of a depression of a predetermined movableoperation key of the operation unit, and that in the guidance displaymode, upon detection of a user input onto an icon displayed on thedisplay unit by the touch detection unit, displays on the display unit apredetermined guidance screen related to the icon.

The guidance display mode may be kept while the predetermined movableoperation key is in a depression state.

The guidance display mode may be kept until a predetermined time periodelapses after detecting the depression of the predetermined movableoperation key, and the guidance display mode is ended after thepredetermined time period elapses.

The guidance display mode may be kept until the depression of thepredetermined movable operation key is detected again.

The predetermined movable operation key may be commonly used for anotherfunction, and when a depression state of the predetermined movableoperation key is kept for a predetermined time period or more, theguidance display unit may enter the guidance display mode.

The mobile terminal may further include an allotment change unit thatchanges the predetermined movable operation key to another movableoperation key.

According to the present invention, the transition to the guidancedisplay mode which is an operation mode of performing a guidance displayis made just by depressing a predetermined movable operation key, whichis arranged to be easily depressed, under a state where the touchdetection unit can be touched. During the guidance display mode,touching on any icon is not an operation that is preset for the icon anduniformly displays a guidance screen related to the icon. Accordingly,regarding an icon indicating a predetermined state in which guidance ofthe icon is provided in a relatively deep hierarchy, it is possible toshow the guidance of the icon by a simple operation without passingthrough a plurality of hierarchies. In addition, the display of theguidance screen is limited only when the predetermined movable operationkey is depressed, for example. Thus, it is possible to suppressconsumption of power or processing time, which is caused when alwaysperforming monitoring for proper response even though the guidancescreen is not necessary.

The predetermined guidance screen may display information for specifyinga content of the icon. The information for specifying the content of theicon is uniformly displayed as the guidance screen, so that a user canexecute the guidance operation in a uniform way regardless of types orfunctional difference of the mobile terminal. Thus, the user can easilysee desired information in familiar order without referring to acomplicated instruction manual or function explanations.

The guidance display unit may display a guidance screen that guides astartup method of an application specified by the icon upon detection ofa further user input onto the icon in the predetermined guidance screen.

According to the present invention, an icon indicating a predeterminedstate is also an object, and an application specified by the icon can bealso started up. By the configuration of displaying the guidance screenof the startup method, it is possible to confirm presence of anapplication specified by the icon that is first touched and to quicklyand easily confirm the startup method of the application withoutperforming search therefor again.

The guidance screen guiding the startup method may show a startup iconfor the application specified by the icon.

According to this configuration, it is possible to quickly and easilystart up the related application without manually searching theapplication specified by the icon.

The mobile terminal may further include a history storage unit thatstores a history of the predetermined guidance screen by the guidancedisplay unit, the guidance display unit may enter the guidance displaymode upon detection of a depression of the predetermined movableoperation key, and wherein, in the guidance display mode, upon detectionof a user input onto a predetermined history reference icon displayed onthe display unit by the touch detection unit, the guidance display unitmay display on the display unit the history of the predeterminedguidance screen, and again display on the display unit the predeterminedguidance screen selected from the history by a further user input.

When the predetermined movable operation key is depressed, thepredetermined history reference icon is displayed on the display unitand the touching on the icon enables re-selection of the history that isoperated in the guidance display mode in the past. According to thisconfiguration, even when the depression keeping state of the movableoperation key is abruptly stopped during the guidance display mode, theguidance display mode can be again executed to reproduce the previousoperation state. Thus, it is possible to quickly and easily reach thedesired guidance screen without passing through the troublesomeoperation input again.

Another representative configuration of the present invention provides aterminal operation program for operating a mobile terminal including adisplay unit, a touch detection unit that receives a user input onto asurface of the display unit and an operation unit including a pluralityof movable operation keys, the program causes a control unit of themobile terminal to execute: a step of detecting a depression of apredetermined movable operation key of the operation unit and a userinput onto an icon displayed on the display unit by the touch detectionunit; and a step of displaying a predetermined guidance screen relatedto the icon on the display unit.

The constitutional elements and explanations thereof based on thetechnical spirit of the mobile terminal can be applied to the terminaloperation program.

Effects of the Invention

As described above, according to the present invention, it is possibleto quickly and surely acquire icon information by a simple operationwithout passing through a plurality of hierarchies.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 illustrates a schematic connection relation of a wirelesscommunication system.

FIG. 2 is a function block diagram showing a hardware configuration of amobile terminal.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing an outward appearance of a mobileterminal.

FIG. 4 is an explanatory view for explaining a predetermined movableoperation key.

FIG. 5 is an explanatory view for explaining a guidance display mode.

FIG. 6 is an explanatory view illustrating a display example of aguidance screen.

FIG. 7 is an explanatory view for explaining another example of theguidance display mode.

FIG. 8 is an explanatory view for explaining a further example of theguidance display mode.

FIG. 9 is a flow chart showing an overall procedure of a terminaloperation method.

DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will bespecifically described with reference to the drawings. The sizes,materials and other specific numerical values of the embodiments areexemplified so as to easily understand the invention and are not tolimit the invention unless particularly mentioned otherwise. Meanwhile,in the specification and drawings, the elements having the substantiallysame functions and configurations are indicated with the same referencenumerals and the overlapped explanations will be omitted. In addition,the elements that are not directly related to the invention will not beshown.

Wireless Communication System 100

FIG. 1 illustrates a schematic connection relation of a wirelesscommunication system 100. The wireless communication system 100 includesa mobile terminal 110, base stations 120 that establish wirelesscommunication with the mobile terminal 110, a communication network 130that is connected to the base stations 120 and configured by ISDN(Integrated Services Digital Network) line, Internet, dedicated line orthe like and a relay server 140 that relays the respective base stations120 through the communication network 130.

In the wireless communication system 100, the mobile terminal 110performs a call or communication with another mobile terminal 110through the wireless communication with the base stations 120 and can beprovided with a variety of services from Web servers of respectiveservice providers connected through the communication network 130. Inthis embodiment, regarding an icon that appears upon reception of anemail or reception of a missed call via the wireless communicationsystem 100 and an icon that is arranged on a wait screen and indicates aremaining amount of a battery or a pictogram (received signal strength),when a user cannot know what the icons means only with the display ofthe icons, it is possible to acquire icon information by a simpleoperation. Hereinafter, a specific configuration of the mobile terminal110 allowing a simple operation will be described and then a terminaloperation method of the mobile terminal 110 will be specificallydescribed.

Mobile Terminal 110

FIG. 2 is a function block diagram showing a hardware configuration ofthe mobile terminal 110, and FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing anoutward appearance of the mobile terminal 110. The mobile terminal 110includes a terminal control unit 210, a terminal memory 212, a displayunit 214, an operation unit 216, a touch detection unit 218, an audioinput unit 220, an audio output unit 222 and a terminal wirelesscommunication unit 224.

As the mobile terminal 110, a variety of electronic devices capable ofperforming wireless communication such as PHS terminal, note-typepersonal computer, PDA (Personal Digital Assistant), digital camera,music player, car navigation, gaming device, DVD player and the like canbe employed.

The terminal control unit 210 manages and controls the mobile terminal110 by a semiconductor integrated circuit including a central processingunit (CPU) and performs calling, mail transmitting and receiving,imaging, music reproducing and TV watching functions by using programsof the terminal memory 212. The terminal memory 212 is configured by aROM, a RAM, an EEPROM, a von-volatile RAM, a flash memory, an HDD or thelike and stores programs, communication data and the like that areprocessed by the terminal control unit 210. In addition, the terminalmemory 212 serves as a history storage unit 230 that stores history of apredetermined guidance screen by a guidance display unit 236.

The display unit 214 is configured by a liquid crystal display, an EL(Electro Luminescence) or the like and can display Web content or GUI(Graphical User Interface) of an application that is stored in theterminal memory 212 or provided from a Web server through thecommunication network 130. In addition, in this embodiment, the displayunit 214 can arrange a plurality of icons indicating applications atpositions that can be touched by the touch detection unit 218, whichwill be described later, and can display an icon that indicates aremaining amount of a battery and a pictogram (received signal strength)and an icon indicating a predetermined state such as icon indicatingreception of an e-mail.

The operation unit 216 is configured by a keyboard, a numerical key, anda plurality of movable operation keys (hardware keys) such as joystickor the like and receives an operation input of a user. In thisembodiment, a predetermined operation key (side key) 232 of theoperation unit 216, which is provided on a case side, is set as atransition trigger to a guidance display mode. While the predeterminedmovable operation key is depressed, the guidance display mode is kept.In this embodiment, the guidance display mode is kept by keepingdepressing the movable operation key 232, so-called depression keepingstate. However, various keeping operations can be applied. For example,the display mode may be kept until a predetermined time period elapsesafter depressing the predetermined movable operation key. Alternatively,the display mode may be kept until the movable operation key 232 isagain depressed after the depressing. Although the predetermined movableoperation key 232 may be a dedicated key, it is typically commonly usedfor other functions. Further, the predetermined movable operation key232 is recognized as a function of this embodiment when it is depressedfor a predetermined time period, for example 0.5 second or more. Herein,the side key that a user can easily depress is set as the predeterminedmovable operation key 232. However, the allotment of the predeterminedmovable operation key may be changed depending on using easiness of theuser.

FIG. 4 is an explanatory view for explaining the predetermined movableoperation key. Here, when the predetermined movable operation key 232 ofthe case side is depressed under wait state as shown in FIG. 4( a), ahistory reference icon 234 that is shown as ‘Info’ on the display unit214 is displayed as shown in FIG. 4( b). The history reference icon 234is continuously displayed while the user keeps depressing thepredetermined movable operation key 232, and indicates that a currentmode is the guidance display mode. When the user releases the depressionkeeping state of the predetermined movable operation key 232, theguidance display mode is ended and the mobile terminal returns to ageneral mode. In addition, when the history reference icon 234 isdisplayed on the wait screen in advance, the history reference icon 234may blink on and off during the guidance display mode.

The touch detection unit 218 receives an operation input of a usercorresponding to a display on a surface of the display unit 214. As adetection method of the touch detection unit 218, the conventionalmethods such as a resistance film method (pressure-sensitive method), anelectrostatic capacity method, an infrared light-shielding method, aultrasonic surface acoustic wave method, an electromagnetic inductionmethod, an electrostatic coupling method, an acoustic pulse recognitionmethod, an image recognition method or the like may be used. Inaddition, a method of recognizing an object placed on the surface of thedisplay unit 214 by an optical sensor integrated to the display unit 214is also within the technical scope of this embodiment.

By the touch detection unit 218, it is possible to receive a user'sintuitive input corresponding to the screen of the display unit 214without using the operation unit 216, for example. In addition, by thetouch detection unit 218, it is possible to perform analog operationssuch as scrolling and pointing of the Web contents displayed on thedisplay unit 214.

In general times (general mode), when the touch detection unit 218detects touching on an icon indicating an application, the applicationis started up. When the touch detection unit detects touching on an iconindicating a remaining amount of a battery or icon indicating apredetermined state such as a pictogram, no operation is performed.However, when any icon is touched in the guidance display mode duringwhich the predetermined movable operation key 232 is kept beingdepressed, a guidance screen is uniformly displayed. The detailedoperation will be described below.

The audio input unit 220 is configured by audio recognition means suchas microphone and the like and converts user's voice, which is input inmaking a call, into an electric signal that can be processed in themobile terminal 110. The audio output unit 222 is configured by aspeaker and converts and outputs an audio signal of a called party,which is received in the mobile terminal 110, into audio. In addition,the audio output unit can also output a ringtone, an operating sound ofthe operation unit 216 or touch detection unit 218, an alarm sound andthe like.

The terminal wireless communication unit 224 establishes wirelesscommunication with the base stations 120 through wireless communicationmethods such as CDMA (Code Division Multiple Access) and WiMAX(Worldwide Interoperability for Microwave Access) and performs voicecommunication with a called party or data communication with the Webserver.

The terminal control unit 210 serves as a guidance display unit 236. Theguidance display unit 236 displays on the display unit 214 apredetermined guidance screen related to an icon displayed on thedisplay unit 214 upon detection of a user input of the icon via thetouch detection unit 218 under state in which the predetermined movableoperation key 232 of the operation unit 216 is kept being depressed,i.e., in the guidance display mode.

In this embodiment, transition to the guidance display mode is made justby keeping depressing the predetermined movable operation key 232 understate in which the touch detection unit 218 can be touched. During theguidance display mode, touching on any icon does not cause an operationthat is preset for the icon and cause displaying a guidance screenrelated to the icon. Accordingly, regarding an icon indicating apredetermined state in which guidance of the icon is provided in arelatively deep hierarchy, it is possible to show the guidance of theicon by a simple operation without passing through a plurality ofhierarchies.

FIG. 5 is an explanatory view for explaining the guidance display mode.Here, as a user keeps depressing the predetermined movable operation key232, the transition to the guidance display mode is made as shown inFIG. 5( a). When the user additionally touches an icon 238 of thepictogram as shown in FIG. 5( b), a guidance screen 240 as shown in FIG.5( c) is displayed. Here, as the guidance screen 240, information forspecifying contents of the icon (icon 238 of the pictogram) isdisplayed.

That is, the information for specifying the contents of the icon isuniformly displayed as the guidance screen 240, so that a user canexecute the guidance operation in a uniform way regardless of types orfunctional difference of the mobile terminal 110. Thus, the user caneasily see desired information in familiar order without referring to acomplicated instruction manual or function explanations.

The display of the guidance screen 240 by the guidance display unit 236is limited only when the predetermined movable operation key 232 isdepressed, for example. Thus, it is possible to suppress consumption ofpower or processing time such as unnecessary consumption of a memory orpower, which is caused when always performing monitoring for properresponse even though the guidance screen 240 is not necessary.

FIG. 6 is an explanatory view illustrating a display example of theguidance screen. Here, as information for specifying contents of icons,names and explanations of icons are shown.

In addition, the guidance display unit 236 displays on the display unit214 a new guidance screen that guides a startup method of an applicationspecified by an icon upon detection of a further user input onto theicon in the guidance screen 240.

FIG. 7 is an explanatory view for explaining another example of theguidance display mode. Here, as a user keeps depressing thepredetermined movable operation key 232, the transition to the guidancedisplay mode is made as shown in FIG. 7( a). When the user touches anicon 242 indicating reception of an e-mail, as shown in FIG 7(b), theguidance screen 240 as shown in FIG. 7( c) is displayed. Here, as theguidance screen 240, an icon 244 having the same design as the icon(icon indicating reception of an e-mail) 242 and information (forexample, name or explanation of the icon) for specifying content of theicon 244 are displayed.

When an additional user input onto the icon 244 in the guidance screen240 is detected, a guidance screen 246 as shown in FIG. 7( d) isdisplayed. Here, as the guidance screen 246, a startup method of anapplication specified by the icons 242, 244 are uniformly displayed.Thus, it is possible to start up an application specified by the icons242, 244 according to the startup method.

By the configuration of displaying the guidance screen 246 of thestartup method, it is possible to confirm presence of an applicationspecified by the icon 242 that is first touched, as shown in FIG. 7( d).Furthermore, it is possible to quickly and easily confirm the startupmethod of the application without performing the search thereof again.

In addition, the guidance screen 246 that guides the startup method ofFIG. 7( d) also displays a startup icon 248 of the application. When thestartup icon 248 is touched, the e-mail application specified by theicon 242 is started up as shown in FIG. 7( e).

By the above configuration, it is possible to quickly and easily startup a related application without manually searching an applicationspecified by an icon.

In addition, even when a user does not know how to start up anapplication while an object is to start up the application, the user cansearch a startup method and the startup icon 248 of an e-mailapplication which is an object, from the related icon, here the icon 242indicating reception of an e-mail. Furthermore, since it is possible tosimply execute the startup, the convenience and operability areimproved.

In the meantime, the reference history of the guidance screen related tothe icon 238 of the pictogram and the icon 242 indicating reception ofan e-mail, which are described with reference to FIGS. 5 and 7, isappropriately stored in the history storage unit 230. The guidancedisplay unit 236 displays, on the display unit 214, the history of thepredetermined guidance screen, which is stored in the history storageunit 230, upon detection of a user input of the predetermined historyreference icon 234 displayed on the display unit 214 in the guidancedisplay mode.

FIG. 8 is an explanatory view for explaining a further example of theguidance display mode. Here, as a user keeps depressing thepredetermined movable operation key 232, the transition to the guidancedisplay mode is made as shown in FIG. 8( a). In the case where theguidance display mode has been used in the past, the history referenceicon 234, which is shown as ‘Info,’ blinks on and off. When the historyreference icon 234 that blinks on and off is touched as shown in FIG. 8(b), a guidance screen 250, in which reference history in the guidancedisplay mode of the past is listed, is displayed as shown in FIG. 8( c),in response to the user input.

Furthermore, when one guidance screen is selected from the historyreference by the user input, the selected guidance screen can be againdisplayed on the display unit 214. In the example of FIG. 8( c), sincethe guidance screen of the icon 242 of the e-mail application that isspecified in the name of ‘New Email Messages’ is selected, the guidancescreen 246 as shown in FIG. 7( d) that was referenced in the past isdisplayed.

Here, when the predetermined history reference icon 234 is touched inthe guidance display mode, the history that has been operated in theguidance display mode in the past can be again selected. By thisconfiguration, even when the depression keeping state of thepredetermined movable operation key 232 is stopped, for example, when amail or call is received and guidance by the guidance screen thereof isinterrupted, it is possible to reproduce the previous operation state byre-executing the guidance display mode described above. Thus, it ispossible to quickly and easily reach the desired guidance screen withoutpassing through the troublesome operation input again.

As described above, according to the mobile terminal 110, it is possibleto quickly and surely acquire the icon information by effectively usingthe display unit 214 and the intuitive touch detection unit 218, withoutpassing through the plurality of hierarchies.

Terminal Operation Method

Next, a terminal operation method for operating the mobile terminal 110will be described.

FIG. 9 is a flow chart showing an overall procedure of the terminaloperation method. The terminal operation method is a process that isexecuted by the terminal control unit 210 as the terminal control unit210 executes a terminal operation program.

For example, when the depression state of the predetermined movableoperation key 232 of the operation unit 216 is kept by the user understate in which the wait screen is displayed on the display unit 214(S300), the operation mode of the mobile terminal 110 transits from thegeneral mode to the guidance display mode (S302). Then, the historyreference icon 234 is displayed on a part of the display unit 214. Atthis time, when the guidance display mode has been used in the past,i.e., when the reference history of the guidance screen is stored in thehistory storage unit 230, the history reference icon 234 is displayedwith blinking on and off or its color being changed.

The guidance display mode is released when the depression keeping stateof the predetermined movable operation key 232 is stopped. Accordingly,the operation of the predetermined movable operation key 232 becomesnull even at any timing of the flow chart, so that the terminaloperation method ends.

Here, when the user input onto an icon displayed on the display unit 214is detected by the touch detection unit 218 (S304), it is determinedwhether the touched object icon is the history reference icon 234(S306). When the icon is a general icon, rather than the historyreference icon 234, the guidance display unit 236 displays a guidancescreen of the designated icon (S308).

Then, it is determined whether an application is set for the designatedicon (S310). When an application is set, the guidance display unit 236waits for a user input onto the icon displayed on the display screen(S312), and displays a guidance screen of a startup method of theapplication and the startup icon 248 (S314). Here, when a user inputonto the startup icon 248 is detected (S316), the application is startedup (S318).

In the process (S306) of determining whether the designated icon is thehistory reference icon 234, when it is determined that the icon is thehistory reference icon 234 (‘YES’ in S306), it is determined whetherreference history for the guidance screen is present (S322). When thereference history is present, the guidance display unit 236 lists thereference history of the guidance screen and displays it on the displayunit 214 (S324). Then, the guidance display unit 236 waits for aselection input of the user onto the reference history (S326) anddisplays the selected guidance screen (S328).

According to this terminal operation method, it is possible to quicklyand surely acquire the icon information by a simple operation withoutpassing through the plurality of hierarchies that are provided inadvance in the mobile terminal 110.

Although the preferred embodiments of the invention have been describedwith reference to the drawings, it should be noted that the presentinvention is not limited thereto and can be modified and changed by oneskilled in the art within the scope of the claims, which are intended tobe included in the technical scope of the present invention.

In the meantime, the respective steps of the terminal operation methodare not necessarily performed time-serially in accordance with theprocedures shown in the flow chart and may be performed in parallel orinclude processing by a subroutine.

This application is based on Japanese Patent Application No. 2008-167322filed on Jun. 26, 2008, the disclosures of which are incorporated hereinby reference.

INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY

The present invention can be applied to a mobile terminal that caneasily acquire information about a plurality of icons displayed on adisplay unit and a terminal operation method thereof.

DESCRIPTION OF REFERENCE NUMERALS

110: mobile terminal

214: display unit

216: operation unit

218: touch detection unit

230: history storage unit

232: predetermined movable operation key

234: history reference icon

236: guidance display unit

248: startup icon

1. A mobile terminal having a first application program and a first iconcorresponding to the first application program, the mobile terminalcomprising: a display; an input detector that detects input by a user;history storage that stores, as a first screen, a screen displayed onthe display when the first application program is executed, the screenrelated to the first application program after being displayed;processor communicatively coupled to the display, input detector, andhistory storage, the processor configured to control the display todisplay, when a first input is detected while the display is displayinga second screen that is different from the first screen, a third screencontaining information related to the first application program and thefirst icon, and to display the first screen when a second input forselecting the first application program is detected while the display isdisplaying the third screen.
 2. The mobile terminal according to claim1, wherein the input detector includes a touch detector that detects atouch operation by the user, and wherein the first input is a firsttouch operation made to the input detector.
 3. The mobile terminalaccording to claim 1, wherein the second screen contains the first icon,and wherein the processor controls the display to display, when thefirst input is detected while the display is displaying the secondscreen, the first icon displayed on the second screen and the first icondisplayed on the third screen.
 4. The mobile terminal according to claim1, wherein the second screen contains the first icon, and wherein theprocessor controls the display to display, when the first input isdetected while the display is displaying the second screen, the firsticon displayed on the third screen and the first icon displayed on thesecond screen to be not overlapped with one another.
 5. The mobileterminal according to claim 1, wherein the input detector includes atouch detector that detects a touch operation by the user, and whereinthe second input is a second touch operation made to the input detector.6. A method for operating a mobile terminal that includes a display andan input detector that detects an input by a user, the mobile terminalhaving a first application program and a first icon corresponding to thefirst application program, the method comprising: storing, as a firstscreen, a screen displayed on the display when the first applicationprogram is executed, the screen related to the first application programafter being displayed; displaying a second screen that is different fromthe first screen on the display; displaying, when a first input isdetected while the display is displaying the second screen, a thirdscreen on the display, the third screen containing information relatedto the first application program and the first icon; and displaying thefirst screen on the display when a second input for selecting the firstapplication program is detected while the display is displaying thethird screen.
 7. The method according to claim 6, wherein the inputdetector includes a touch detector that detects a touch operation by theuser, and wherein the first input is a first touch operation made to theinput detector.
 8. The method according to claim 6, wherein the inputdetector includes a touch detector that detects a touch operation by theuser, and wherein the second input is a second touch operation made tothe input detector.